Meet the Author

The FermentedlyChallenged blog has been retired since the end of October 2016. It has been a great 9 year run. Thanks to all the readers and brewery staff for all your support in the past. I'm living in the Denver metro area and working in the Cable TV industry now. Cheers and enjoy beer responsibly. Follow along on social media - @ChipperDave on Twitter and on Facebook.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Colorado celebrates 303 Day today! The area code and calendar date line up once a year. It's a day to celebrate everything great you love about Colorado - including all that great craft beer. The snow may be falling, but don't let that stop you (just be careful out there). Here's what's happening around the Colorado craft beer scene today Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015. If you aren't reading this article on FermentedlyChallenged.com, you don't know what you're missing.

Rock Bottom Brewery - Denver - Tomorrow, Wednesday March 4th at 5:30pm to 6pm at the downtown Denver Rock Bottom location, they will be hosting a Fire Chief Ale tasting and food pairing. You can sample their Fire Chief Ale and pair it with 4 of their menu samples. This event is to also help raise awareness for the Denver Fire Fighters Burn Foundation. A portion of the proceeds of this event will benefit the burn foundation. Then coming up in a week on Wednesday, March 11th at 6pm, they will tap "Mad Cow Milk Stout" on nitro tap. Get a complimentary glass until 6:30pm. And finally on Wednesday, March 18th at 6pm, they will tap their Falcon Pale Ale and add it permanently on tap. Again, get a free glass of it until 6:30pm. [1001 16th St, Unit A-100, Denver, CO]

New Kids on the Block - Plan to attend a beer event featuring 20 Colorado breweries that are under two years old. New Kids on the Block will happen on Thursday, March 26th from 7:30pm to 10:30pm (VIP entry at 6pm) at The LOBBY in Denver, CO. This events features 80's Jams, great food, and plenty of craft beer. Dress up in your finest 80's clothes and enter the costume contest. It's an all you can drink adventure. Tickets range from $25 to $45. Tickets available now at www.imbibe-events.com. The LOBBY is located at: [2191 Arapahoe St, Denver, CO]

Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery - Stop in for a new beer release today - a Cascadian Dark Ale. Also today, Jagged Mountain is donating $1 for every beer sold to Denver School of Nursing. Grab some food from Pile High Burgers parked outside - ask for their 303 Burger. [1139 20th St, Denver, CO]

Kokopelli Beer Co - Never played trivia at a brewery before? Here's an incentive... If you play Trivia tonight at Kokopelli and win - 1st place team gets two tickets to the Winter Craft Beer Festival in Boulder this Saturday. Trivia starts at 6:45pm and the beers are flowing all day. [8931 Harlan St, Westminster, CO]

Golden City Brewery - Come out this Saturday, March 7th for their Grand Re-Opening party. They'll be offering $2 pints and $4 growler fills (to-go). They've got a lot of new improvements. Plus, there will be food from Wheels on Fire food truck. Please clean your growlers before you bring them in. That will help to keep the waiting line down. Tip: Have you tried GCB's own hard cider yet? Once you're done drinking beer, ask to try their new Nitro Coffee - yup - coffee on a nitro tap. [920 12th St, Golden, CO]

Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project - Today at 6:00pm for Tap-It Tuesday - Crooked Stave will be hosting a very special tapping of Sentience, a wild quadrupel. Stop on by to get a glass. [3350 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO]

Saint Patrick's Brewing Co - It took a bit longer than expected to pass their final inspections, but now they have and set the date for Thursday, March 5th for their soft opening at their new location in Littleton. They plan to have 17 beers on tap for their opening including: - Oktoberfest, Dubbel, Berry Chili, Limoncello, Russian Imperial Stout, Pumpkin Vanilla Chai, French Barleywine, Espresso Blonde, Imperial Helles, Belgian Quad Wit, Dry Hop Saison, Hawaiian Farmhouse, Coroni, Helledel Helles, Czech Pils, Luminosity Oak Reserve, and Midnight Mocha. You'll love their new cozy atmosphere. Grand Opening is then set for March 17th (St. Patrick's Day!) [2842 W Bowles Ave, Littleton, CO]

Blue Spruce Brewing - Trivia Tuesday is tonight. Stop in with your friends, have a beer or two and compete. Round one starts at 6pm. This trivia will have the addition of multimedia with movie clips, sound clips and more. [4151 E County Line Rd, Centennial, CO]

Living The Dream Brewing Co - Join in today at 6pm this Wednesday, March 4th for a Silent Ski Auction and a chance to win a brew day with the Living The Dream Crew. They're teaming up with the National Sports Center For The Disabled (NSCD) to help them reach more athletes with disabilities. There will be a silent auction and they will donate 20% of all beer purchased to the NSCD. Drink for a good cause. [12305 Dumont Way, Unit A, Littleton, CO]

The Brew on Broadway - Now The BoB is open til 10pm this Tuesday. It's Growler Night and you can get a fill on regular house beers for $10 with the purchase of a pint. It's also Americana Open Mic night from 7pm til 10pm. Bring your talent. [3445 S Broadway, Englewood, CO]

300 Suns Brewing - This coming week will be busy at 300 Suns Brewing. This Thursday there will be live music from Denny Driscoll from 5-7pm. Then on Tuesday, March 10th sign up for their Craft Beer & Cheese tasting party. And then on Thursday, March 12th it's Comedy Open Mic Night. Bring your good humor and your best jokes. [335 1st Ave, Unit C, Longmont, CO]

Fort Collins Brewery - Spring is coming and so are the Spring season beers. One such beer is available now through May - FCB's Maibock. Described as a smooth malty flavored beer made from Munich malts that finishes with a warming sweetness. It has toffee notes and an understated hop bitterness. It's been aging since the Fall and sells from February through May. Stats: 6.4% ABV, 34 IBU, 22 SRM. Also, coming up on Thursday, March 26th in the FCB Community Room is a Goat Cheese Making Class & Dinner. The cost is $35 per person for the class or $50 per person for the class & dinner. It starts at 6pm March 26th. RSVP to FCB by calling (970) 472-1499 or email rsvp@fortcollinsbrewery.com. Limited to 30 registrants. Newborn baby goats will also be on hand! PLUS - don't forget their firkin tapping this Friday, March 6th - an English Toffee Peanut Butter Brown Ale. [1020 E Lincoln Ave, Ft. Collins, CO]

High Hops Brewery - There's a special firkin tapping tomorrow, Wednesday March 4th at 5pm. Come try some "WHA?! (Weakland Holiday Ale)". This was the ale brewed by Dr. Pat and the homebrew class. It have notes of clove and cinnamon. It's a beer that pairs well with the cold weather. Plus, you'll be doing a lot of toe tapping this week with live music Thursday (Franklin Taggart's Music Showcase), Friday (Jeff Brinkman) and Saturday (The Feral West). Grab a brew or two and relax with some live tunes. Food trucks available Thursday through Sunday. Take advantage of their t-shirt special - buy a t-shirt and get a free flagship pint of beer. [6461 Hwy 392, Windsor, CO]

Patrick's Irish Pub - It's a good week for their Around the World in 80 Flavs‬ Passport holders. The take-home tour mugs arrived and one is yours to claim once you have at least 20 stamps in your 2015 passport. They are about to enter Belgium so cellar-brate with the biggest beer from their cellar, literally! Join in this Saturday, March 7th at 7pm and help them drink their big 6L bottle of Brasserie St-Feuillien S.A.'s Tripel - they're giving 1 FREE glass of it to all passport holders while supplies last. Belgian's to be tapped next week: Oud Beersel Framboise, Brasserie Dubuisson Cuvée des Trolls, and KerstSmiske. [907 8th Ave, Greeley, CO]

The Mayor of Old Town - There's a new collaboration beer being poured at The Mayor next Monday night, March 9th at 4pm - two beers meant to be poured together like a Black and Tan - only this time it's a stout poured over a brown. Come for a "Top Bunk Bottom Bunk" from Verboten Brewing and New Belgium Brewing. New Belgium made a peppermint stout and will be poured over Verboten's milk chocolate English brown. This is a taste you won't want to miss. [632 Mason St, Ft. Collins, CO]

Brix Taphouse & Brewery - Snow Day Special today - get $2 off all pints from 2pm - 5pm and get $1 off from 5pm to 7pm. Also, Brix Box members are asked to stop in and get your apparel ordered and ask about your daily specials. They will be selecting 10 Brix Box members for a special VIP Tour with Odell Brewing. Be on the lookout for your name. Open today 2pm to 12am. [813 8th St, Greeley, CO]

The Barrel - There's a new craft beer centric outdoor beer garden coming to Estes Park! [PRESS RELEASE] Soon residents and tourists visiting Estes Park, Colorado will be able to revel in the beautiful mountain views while enjoying some of the best craft beer in the State and around the Country as well as a few international selections. The vacant lot at 119 East Elkhorn Avenue will become the home of the first outdoor beer garden in downtown Estes Park in the interim of the Rocky Mountain Performing Arts Center development. Opening Spring 2015, The Barrel, an outdoor beer garden, with sixty rotating taps will focus on craft beer, mead, cider, high‐end distilled spirits and wines. The Barrel will offer guests a friendly, social atmosphere where they can catch up with old friends and meet new ones while loving some of the best Colorado has to offer. “After a solid year of planning, we are very excited to be opening The Barrel in Estes Park,” says Lou Bush, co‐Owner. “We are thrilled in being able to offer the residents and tourists an outdoor space where they can enjoy a craft beer, fill their stomachs and enjoy the Rocky Mountains.” - “We are committed to breathing new life into the vacant lot, supporting the Rocky Mountain Performing Arts Center and also see value in investing in downtown Estes Park. We look forward to sharing many experiences with our guests, meeting people from all over and becoming a favorite destination for all,” says Ingrid Bush, co‐Owner. For more information on The Barrel and/or upcoming events, please email Ingrid Bush at ingrid@thebarrel.beer [119 E Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, CO]

Zwei Brüder Brewing - Fans of hoppy red ales will want to try their newly tapped beer "RöTpfen-esk". Ask for it by name, that is if you know how to pronounce it. Also, get ready to celebrate St. Patrick's Day - not once, but twice! They will host TWO St. Patty's parties, one on Friday March 13th starting at 6pm and the other on Saturday, March 14th starting at 4pm. There will be drums, bagpipes, German polka - plus they will tap their latest batch of Vienna Lager and also a Zwei Patrick's Day Stout. [4612 S Mason St, Ft. Collins, CO]

Big Beaver Brewing Co - Start celebrating St. Patrick's day 10 days early this Saturday, March 7th from 7-10pm. They'll have the Stubby Shillelaghs folk the house with live music and will also be tapping an Irish Red Ale just for the occasion. [2707 W Eisenhower Blvd, Ste 9, Loveland, CO]

Verboten Brewing - Good news Russian Imperial Stout fans! There's still some of their "Never Lose RIS" left on tap in their only keg of it. Plus, they still have a few bottles left for sale in the taproom. The Verboten Sisterhood meets there tonight at 6:30pm and ladies get $1 off pints tonight. [1550 Taurus Ct, Loveland, CO]

Like us on Facebook - There's even more Colorado beer happenings and discussions on the Fermentedly Challenged Facebook Page. Find recaps, photos, special offers, and tips that you won't find on the blog.

Colorado Beer News is published on Fermentedly Challenged daily (Monday through Friday) with craft beer stories as they break from newsletters, emails and social media sites. This news is intended for audiences of legal drinking age (21+). If you'd like to subscribe to this daily by email, sign-up here. Please, always drink responsibly and use a designated driver.

How would you like to have a selection of 40 taps of beer, wine and cider and be able to pour it your self for as many ounces as you wish? A new business headed to Denver will soon let you do just that - First Draft. Check out their press release issued today.

First Draft - Opening Soon in RiNo

Pour your own craft beer, wine, and cider at First Draft

[PRESS RELEASE] Denver, CO, March 3, 2015 – First Draft, a new taproom and kitchen concept, is coming to the River North (RiNo) neighborhood of Denver in late spring/early summer 2015. With 40 taps of craft beer, wine, and cider and the ability to “pour your own” by the ounce, First Draft will let customers taste and pour at their own pace in an inviting and fun environment. On tap will be an ever-rotating selection of high quality craft beer, wine, and cider from Colorado as well as the rest of the US. At First Draft, you can customize your own drinking experience.

First Draft is located at 1309 26th St. in RiNo, near the corner of 26th & Larimer. Part of the 2601 Larimer project, First Draft will feature a full kitchen, a mezzanine overlooking the main floor, and front patio complete with a fire pit. The kitchen will serve small plates and shareable items that pair with beverage offerings. Utilizing local and seasonal ingredients, First Draft will partner will local providers to create a menu that looks to put an upgraded twist on traditional taproom favorites.
“We're excited to bring a unique drinking experience to Denver, and even more excited to be a part of everything happening in RiNo,” said Mark Slattery, Owner and General Manager. Slattery, known in the Colorado beer world as the “Denver Beer Guy”, looks to curate a different set of tap offerings for Denver. “We plan to showcase the best craft beer we can get our hands on. Whether it’s being able to pour beer from some of the great small breweries on the other side of Denver, or bringing in a highly sought-after keg from across the country, we promise that our tap list will be as exciting as our draft system,” he said.

First Draft has partnered with iPourIt, the leader in self-service tap technology. iPourIt is a unique patented technology that allows customers to pour their own beer. A valve controls beer flowing through the tap while a meter measures the amount of beer a customer pours accurate to more than 1/10th of an ounce.

"We at iPourIt are thrilled to be providing the largest self-serve beer system in Colorado to First Draft,” said Joseph McCarthy, CEO of iPourIt. “With more than 30 breweries in Denver alone, First Draft will be the go-to location for enthusiasts to sample local fare as well as rare brews ‘By the Ounce’. iPourIt's patented self-serve beer and wine system is the perfect complement to First Draft's comprehensive business plan to provide a differentiated experience to its patrons," he said.

First Draft is a new taproom and kitchen concept from First Draft, LLC, a Colorado Limited Liability Company.

# # #

If you would like more information about First Draft, please contact Mark Slattery at 626.848.2204 or email mslattery@firstdraftdenver.com.

Monday, March 2, 2015

What will March bring? To the brewery taps that is. Expect to see a lot of Irish-themed beers pouring this month in Colorado. It's also going to be one of the snowiest months of the year - so keep warm with a pint of your favorite winter warmer. Keep reading Fermentedly Challenged for upcoming St. Patrick's Day events and tappings. Here's what's happening around the Colorado craft beer scene today Monday, March 2nd, 2015. If you aren't reading this article on FermentedlyChallenged.com, you don't know what you're missing.

Copper Kettle Brewing Co - March brings an Irish-themed Cask Month to the brewery. Every Wednesday, they'll tap a slightly different version of their Keltic Dry Irish Stout. March 4th: Irish Creme Liqueur Keltic Stout. March 11th: Catholic Irish Whiskey Keltic Stout. March 18th: Chocolate Irish Creme Liqueur Keltic Stout. And March 25th: Protestant Irish Whiskey Keltic Stout. And don't forget to celebrate St. Patty's Day early with CKBC on Saturday, March 14th from 12pm to 10pm. They'll tap their "Help Me Out Stout", a dry Irish Stout. Plus live music that day from Brian Hagen & The Inquiry at 6pm. [1338 S Valentia St, Unit 100, Denver, CO]

Elk Mountain Brewing - There's Trivia with Mile High Music Patrol happening tonight from 6-8pm at the brewery. Stop in earlier for Happy Hour starting at 5:00pm. B&B Smokehouse Meats will be on site also. [18921 Plaza Dr, Parker, CO]

Odyssey Beerwerks - Want to help can some beer with Odyssey Beerwerks? If you are interested, send them a PM on Facebook with your email and phone and they'll call you with further info on how you can participate. The canning will run this Wednesday, March 4th from 9:30am to 1:30pm. They'll provide snacks and fresh free beer and some good music while you can. Then mark your calendars for the Spring Equinox - March 21st for their "Earth is Still Hurtling Around the Sun and the Days are Getting Longer Party". Come celebrate the beginning of Spring with some special beer releases, food and music. [5535 W 56th Ave, Ste 107, Arvada, CO]Collaboration Fest Immersion Class - [PRESS RELEASE] In coordination with Collaboration Fest, Imbibe Events, the Colorado Brewers Guild and Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) will host a Collaboration Immersion Class on Thursday, March 19 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at MSU Denver’s Hospitality Learning Center, Demonstration Theater Room 208 (1190 Auraria Pkwy., Denver CO 80204). This class will take guests through a history of collaborations and provide a preview of the festival beers. In the past ten years, breweries from around the world have been collaborating more often. Brewers often see collaboration as a chance to hang out with buddies, let loose and create a beer outside of their typical style. There have been some collaborations that have grabbed headlines like when Avery Brewing and Russian River Brewing created Collaboration Not Litigation Ale. This is one of the most popular collaborations and truly shows how the craft beer community would rather work together and help the industry grow than meet in a courtroom. This aspect of community was one of the driving focuses behind Collaboration Fest. Collaboration Fest takes place March 21 at Sports Authority Field and will feature more than 70 unique beer collaborations. The Immersion Class will give a limited number of attendees a chance to preview some of these beers in a classroom setting and ask the brewers themselves questions about their creations. The Collaboration Fest Immersion Class panel will feature Nick Nunns from TRVE Brewing Co., Jesse Brookstein from Call to Arms Brewing Company, New Belgium Brewing and several others. The class will be led by Scott Kerkmans. Kerkmans was a professional brewer with Alaskan Brewing Company and helped start Draft Magazine. He was in the group of the first five Certified Cicerones in the world and is a annual judge at the Great American Beer Festival. Kerkmans now provides professional and individual training through his companies, Beer Conscious Training and Homebrew IQ. Tickets for the Collaboration Fest Immersion Class are $35 and are on sale now at http://www.collaborationfest.com/metrostate. (Photo courtesy Imbibe Events)

Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery - Drink beer and help out a good cause this Tuesday (3/3). $1 of every beer sold on Tuesday this week goes to help Denver School of Nursing students traveling to India later this month for international medical relief program. Tip: try their Wolfpack Black Saison (7.0% ABV). [1139 20th St, Denver, CO]

Nighthawk Brewery - First the bad news: their Imperial IPA is sold out for the next week. The second batch is nearly completed. The good news: they've got plenty of this on tap - Amber, Milk Stout, Agave Wheat, Session Porter, Ciderweizen, Herb Saison w/Lactobacillus, and a Pumpkin Peach Baltic Porter. [2780 Industrial Ln, Broomfield, CO]

Very Nice Brewing Co - March brings the annual Frozen Dead Guys Days to Nederland - March 13-15, 2015. And you'll be able to use the Very Nice Brewing Company as your party destination during that event. They'll have live music Fri. March 13th from 7-9pm, a special beer tapping on March 14th of "Nicely Twisted", a collaboration brew with Twisted Pine that's a cherry midnight wheat saison. Also that day, the Colorado Craft Beer Radio show will be doing a live remote from 12-2pm on AM 760. Plus, a book signing with author Dan Rabin for his book "Colorado Breweries". And then live music on Sunday, March 15th from 5-7pm. Don't forget Euchre nights every other Wednesday (March 4th & 18th) from 6-8pm. [20 Lakeview Dr, Unit 112, Nederland, CO]

Fate Brewing Co - Today the brewery announced the return of their brew: Nona Belgian Blonde. They also have a bit of their Chocolate Cherry stout left. Their Pale Ale is now kicked (sorry). But coming soon is a Pumpkin Peach Ale. [1600 38th St, Boulder, CO]

Avery Brewing Co - No more abbreviated business hours! Starting now, their tap room and restaurant will be open every day from 11am to 11pm. It just took a couple weeks to get everything dialed in just right. Now it's all ready for 12 hour days! Also, don't forget to buy tickets to the 13th Annual Boulder Strong Ale Fest at Avery Brewing set for Saturday April 4th at 12pm. On sale online now. [4910 Nautilus Ct, Boulder, CO]

Twisted Pine Brewing Co - Twisted Pine is already gearing up for this year's Colorado Craft Beer Week set for March 21-29, 2015. Here's their schedule for that week. March 21: pouring at Collaboration Festival. Brewery tours at 2,3,4pm. March 22: Get $1 off 5-Flight or $2 off 10-Flight. March 23: Trivia Night 7-9pm. March 24: All day Happy Hour plus Open Mic Night 6-8pm. March 25: Free pint glass with purchase of any beer! March 26: 10% off all Twisted Pine apparel. March 27: All day Happy Hour Pitchers, plus Comedy Night 7-9pm. And March 28: Brewery tours 2,3 4pm. [3201 Walnut St, Ste A, Boulder, CO]

Jessup Farm Barrel House - News from the Coloradoan last month reveals that a new brewery will soon be coming to Fort Collins in the Jessup Farm Artisan Village in the Bucking Horse neighborhood near Timberline and Drake. This brewery will be housed in a 130 year old barn. Renovations will begin soon and the play is to open sometime by May 2015 if all goes according to plan. This project is being led by Gino Campana and family along with two partners from Funkwerks - Brad Lincoln and Gordon Schuck. This project will NOT be an official Funkwerks spin-off however. This brewery will focus on beers that are both blended and barrel aged (similar to Casey Blending & Brewing). [Timberline & Drake - Ft. Collins, CO]

Self Storage & Brewery - Here's a business combo that few have heard of before. Stan Scott plans to open a large 100,000 square foot self storage business that comes with a 5,500 square foot brewery & taproom. The project will be located on a 6.5 acre property very close to New Belgium, Fort Collins Brewery, Snowbank Brewing and Odell Brewing at Lemay Avenue and Buckingham Street. They plan to use a 20 barrel brewing system. Plans to begin building this starting in the Fall and may be open by the end of the year. Not sure if the brewery will end up with a different name or not because the official business name is Fort Collins Self Storage.

City Star Brewing - Don't forget - Mondays are Free Beer Mondays! Fill up your 64oz growler and get a free beer or a beer nickel good for a free beer later. Cushion the blow of Mondays with beer. Also - save the date for Saturday, July 11th for the 2015 Hops and Harley event in Fickle Park in Berthoud, CO - drink beer and help support the National Mill Dog Rescue. [321 Mountain Ave, Berthoud, CO]

Berthoud Brewing Co - Stop in Tuesday, fill your growler and get a free pint. On Wednesday they'll be offering Wings from Origins Catering and $1 off Happy Hour all day. Their Farmer Aid Session will be back on tap. On Thursday, their Back 40 Stout will be back on tap - a chocolaty oatmeal stout. On Friday, they'll tap a firkin of Pepper Peach Ale at 5pm. Saturday come try their RailBender Scottish Ale on nitro tap. [450 8th St, Ste B, Berthoud, CO]

Grim Brothers Brewhouse - Come play NoCo Geeks Who Drink Trivia at Grimm Bros tonight at 7:0pm. It's free, fun and you'll get a chance to win prizes through the night. Also, plan to come back on Sunday afternoon for their Dungeons & Drafts Board Game Takeover event at 2pm. Drink specials for all gamers that day. [623 Denver Ave, Loveland, CO]

1933 Brewing Co - The brewery is turning 1 year old this month and to celebrate they are holding specials all month long. This week, March 3-8, they are offering Happy Hour daily from 4-6pm with $1 off pints. Next week, March 10-15, get 10% off all merchandise. On Wednesday March 11th they will host a beer release party with live music and a food truck. Then from March 17-22 get special free treats and goodies (including ice cream beer floats). And the last week of March 24-27 - get 3 pints and a snack for $19.33. Wrapping it all up is their Birthday Blowout Party on Saturday, March 28th - stay tuned for more details. [4025 S Mason St, Ft. Collins, CO]

Like us on Facebook - There's even more Colorado beer happenings and discussions on the Fermentedly Challenged Facebook Page. Find recaps, photos, special offers, and tips that you won't find on the blog.

Colorado Beer News is published on Fermentedly Challenged daily (Monday through Friday) with craft beer stories as they break from newsletters, emails and social media sites. This news is intended for audiences of legal drinking age (21+). If you'd like to subscribe to this daily by email, sign-up here. Please, always drink responsibly and use a designated driver.

February 2015 was Stout Month for many Colorado breweries as big, bold, dark brews tended to dominate the brewing landscape here in the state. February also saw record heat as well as record snow. It made for some rare February patio drinking days. Luckily, there was a bounty of new beer releases in the state. Something for just about every taste.

The following list is a recap of just some of the known craft beers that were released during the last month in Colorado. How many of these beers did you try? Winter seasonals were released in numbers. Here's what was new for the month of February 2015 in Colorado.